A former Leduc County councillor, Ward 8 candidate Rex Adam said he is concerned that the outgoing council let spending slip.

“I believe we need stronger representation in our municipal government, and better oversight on our fiscal management,” he said. Husband of former mayor and MLA Cathy Oleson, Adam said he wants to “ensure we continue to enjoy the excellent municipal services and quality of life moving forward.”

However, he stated concerns that projected capital spending in Strathcona County is expected to double in each of the next two years.

“The county is getting into areas it’s never been before, and (in which) it has no business,” he added, giving examples of a $31-million equestrian facility, as well as his thoughts that the county is looking to delve into the non-market housing field.

“People are mostly pretty happy with the level of services in the county, certainly in Ward 8, but they are concerned with capital expenditures doubling in the next two years,” he said, adding there are projected “progressive tax increases” over the next four years for residential taxes.

While Adam said he sees the need for more affordable housing in the county, he added “the county is getting into land development and potentially putting non-market housing in public spaces, which also raises issues.” Rather, Adam said the county should work with existing groups to increase community housing. He also voiced concerns of duplication of services, “such as a number of county departments recently hiring communication and marketing professionals when there is already a central communication hub.” Adam noted that, while the local hospital is a provincial issue, local residents want council to keep fighting for the construction of Phase 2 of the local facility.

“I believe that residents want better oversight and fiscal management from their councillor,” he said. “They want their councillor to catch when vested interest is trying to sneak something by council. I believe they want more informed debate... I believe they want to see consistency in spending, with no major changes year over year. They want their councillor to phone them back personally when they call. They want honest, informed communication.”

Adam said he would like to see the equestrian build cancelled, while reviewing housing initiatives and task forces.

“Help me save your money.”

KATIE BERGHOFER

Katie Berghofer said she came forward as a candidate for Ward 8 due to a “lack of diversity in candidates.”

“I didn’t see anybody who represented who I am and my vision for Strathcona County,” she told the crowd of 600 at a Tuesday night forum.

Noting she has been a local resident for 16 years, Berghofer said, “Your issues are my issues. I want you to know that I am accessible and committed to the community. I take pride in the fact that I purchased all my campaign material locally.”

Noting county-wide issues, such as Bremner, the Strathcona Community Hospital, and a decrease in taxes for Budget 2017, Berghofer said there are also more area-specific issues that need to be addressed by the next council.

As an example, she noted noise abatement is a concern for homes along arterial roadways in Craigavon, Heritage Hills and Foxboro.

Berghofer also said solutions need to be found for the continued upkeep of local mature neighbourhoods.

“Traffic calming and speeding concerns came up, as well,” she explained.

“Some like the initiatives we have seen, but others, like Ron, think traffic calming has gone too far.”

She noted that, “at many doors,” she heard a desire for residential traffic speed limits to be reduced to 40 km/h, rather than the existing 50 km/h limit outside of school and playground zones.

“Many commented that better sequencing of lights would help commuters to get through faster,” she added.

Transit came up in conversations with residents, too, Berghofer said.

“I heard many concerns about empty buses,” she noted. “I, myself, if elected, plan to ride the bus. My seven-minute drive is a 35-minute commute on the bus. I see why many have chosen not to take the bus. We can do better.”

Speaking to specifics at the doors while out canvassing as part of her campaign, Berghofer said she ran into issues of local affordability.

“Millennials also want to move out of their parents’ home, but they can’t afford anything we have available in our current housing market,” she claimed.

Seniors, she said, also face issues, as many have told her they earn too much money to qualify for housing subsidies, but do not make enough to actually qualify for housing.

“I will make... educated decisions, use my prior management training, and demonstrate not just my cognitive intelligence but my emotional intelligence,” Berghofer said, adding she hopes for a “collective council who has the best interest of residents at heart.”

FLOYD HOUSE

Floyd House said his candidacy is not that of a “career politician.”

While speaking at Tuesday night’s forum, House said, “I work, like many of you, for employers — not always in an executive position. I work hard to climb the corporate ladder.”

House said that while residents of Ward 8 are “fairly happy,” many did take the time to speak with him and express their concerns surrounding traffic.

“Residents feel that speed is a factor, especially along the main arteries... Lights in the communities are inconsistent, and drivers can be waiting too long,” he said.

He also noted residents voice unhappiness over the fact that traffic signal cycles were changed from flashing yellow and red lights at night to regular operations, without community consultation.

House also voiced that residents hope to see residential speed limits reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h.

“It was mentioned that maybe that would cut down on people cutting through communities,” he said, while also acknowledging that parents want full-day school zones in effect at 30 km/h throughout Sherwood Park.

“The other day, kids got out of school an hour to an hour-and-a-half early, before the school zones were in effect,” he explained. “Many were asking why these school zones couldn’t be in effect all day long.”

Cul-de-sacs have also caused concerns, with inconsistent bylaws causing confusion, House said, noting that some keyholes have different parking regulations than others.

“Snow removal in keyholes was a big issue, as well — the way it builds up, the way it melts,” he said.

On Bremner, House said residents were confused and feel they still don’t have the facts, stating: “They wanted to know how it would affect our standing on a regional board, whether we would lose face.”

House also addressed the need for accessibility and accountability amongst council, saying he would have open communication with residents, if elected.

“Anybody that has reached out to me has gotten feedback within 24 hours each and every time,” he said.

House said that he knows governance, bylaws, acts, regulations and laws, and that he would seek to find the root causes of issues while on council, rather than address the symptoms.

This, he said, could be done by developing action plans and placing directive actions on administration.

“Our county has come to a crossroad, and you have the power to change the political landscape in Strathcona.”